The midfield genius fears Hoops will sell off their aces — as they done with the likes of Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama

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By ROBERT GRIEVE

4th November 2016, 12:33 pm

Updated: 10th November 2016, 2:28 am

BARCELONA and Spain legend Xavi insists Celtic can become Champions League regulars — as long as they DON’T sell off their best players.

Xavi has often spoken of his love or the Parkhead club. And he’s thrilled to see Brendan Rodgers’ side make it into the group stages alongside his old club Barca, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.

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Barcelona legend Xavi has spoken of his love for Celtic on numerous occasions after several encounters against them in Europe

But the midfield genius fears Celts will sell off their star men — as they have done with the likes of Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama in the past — and struggle to compete in Europe in years to come.

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Xavi said: “Celtic is a team I have affection for — I was vocal about them belonging in the Champions League — and now they are back, they have to make sure they are there every season.

“The most important thing they can do to achieve that is keep their best players.

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“Before you even think of adding players you have to concentrate on keeping the best ones you have.

“Quality players will not want to join a club where they see the best players are sold every summer.

“The Celtic side that had success against Barcelona lost their top players to the Premier League.

“And that’s a big reason why they spent time outside of the Champions League.

"They had to rebuild and add quality players again — and, now they have done that, they need to keep them.

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Brendan Rodgers' Celtic can reach the Champions League every year if they ccan keep hold of their better players, says Xavi

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Celtic have had to offload stars such Fraser Forster during previous years

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Xavi fell in love with Celtic after facing them in the Champions League with Barcelona

“I understand it will be very difficult if Manchester City, Arsenal, or any other Champions League club in England came in for them, but I can’t understand the mentality of players who will leave a club like Celtic for a club that maybe is mid-table in England.

“To leave a stadium like that and the chance of Champions League football to maybe earn more money playing for a mid-table team in England is not something I can understand from a player who’s hungry for success.”

Celts realistically are battling for third spot in Group C but Rodgers insists his men can beat Barca in their next game.

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He said: Every team is beatable. It’s a game we’re really looking forward to. They have been beaten three times now.

“We know we need to be at our optimum level.

“We played well against City at home and didn’t against Borussia, but it’s a match we’ll look forward to when it comes.”

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